Media Advisory: Privy Council Office of the Government of Canada Volunteering with Ottawa Community Housing

OTTAWA – On September 21, 2017, about 35 volunteers from the Intergovernmental Affairs and Youth Secretariats of the Privy Council Office of the Government of Canada (PCO) will be painting the hallways of Blair House, a seniors’ residence in Centretown, home of about 55 Ottawa Community Housing (OCH) residents.

This is PCO’s first volunteer experience with OCH. OCH is pleased to welcome PCO to our volunteer program and hope this is the start of a successful partnership with more shared events in our future.

Media are welcome to attend this event. Best photo opportunity will be at 9:05 a.m.

Date:

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Time:

9:00 a.m.

– Volunteers arrive and registration

9:05 a.m.

– Opening kick-off

MC: Stéphane Giguère, CEO of OCH

Speakers: Councillor Catherine McKenney

Christiane Fox, Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Youth, Government of Canada

9:15 a.m.

Work begins

11:30 a.m.

Event ends

Location:

205 Gladstone Ave. – Blair House

Quotes:

The Ottawa Community Housing Corporate Volunteer Program makes a tremendous impact on the lives of tenants and the communities they live in. We are grateful to have volunteers from the Privy Council Office of the Government of Canada here today painting the common areas and hallways at the Blair House. Beautification volunteer events such as this one, go a long way in communities and inspire pride of place in all tenants. On behalf of OCH staff, the board and the tenants, we thank the Privy Council Office for the time and effort donated. Together, we build better and stronger communities.

We are very pleased to be able to participate in a volunteer event with Ottawa Community Housing. This is an opportunity for us to donate some of our time to our community and to get know our colleagues better through team-building. As a Privy Council Office Co-Champion for this year’s Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign, I am delighted to see our organization make a difference in the lives of people in our community. We thank Ottawa Community Housing for the important work they do and for creating a wonderful volunteer experience for us.

Christiane Fox – Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Youth, Government of Canada

Quick Facts:

Ottawa Community Housing established the Volunteer Engagement Program (VEP) in 2011

The VEP matches groups of various sizes with rewarding team-building activities which benefit OCH communities

In 2016, 1070 volunteers completed 38 projects with approximately $20,000 in sponsor donations and discounts

Volunteer projects vary greatly from painting to tree planting to baking cupcakes for fundraisers and many others

About OCH

Ottawa Community Housing (OCH) provides approximately 15,000 homes to about 32,000 tenants, including seniors, parents, children, couples, singles and persons with special needs, within many communities across the City of Ottawa. OCH houses a diverse population of varying languages, ethnicity and cultures. OCH is the largest social housing provider in Ottawa, managing two-thirds of the City’s social housing portfolio, and is the second largest in Ontario. In 2017, OCH is celebrating its 15th anniversary www.och-lco.ca

About the Privy Council Office of the Government of Canada

The Privy Council Office is the hub of non-partisan, public service support to the Prime Minister and Cabinet and its decision-making structures. Led by the Clerk of the Privy Council, PCO helps the Government implement its vision and respond effectively and quickly to issues facing the government and the country. In today’s world of complex economic and social issues, much of this work involves consultation and coordination – both inside and beyond the federal government. The PCO secretariats play a key role in ensuring this collaboration.

Follow @OCH_LCO on Twitter!

We are so proud of and excited for OCH tenant Kelly Slack who was part of a group that received the Mayor's Builder Award this morning for their fantastic work as Ottawa @2017ottawa volunteers - helping build strong communities across the City of Ottawa #ottnews

"The new National #Housing Strategy is a solid foundation for moving forward." @maytree_canada's @elizmcisaac and @NoahZon have good things to say about Canada's first ever #NationalHousingStrategy! https://t.co/yp11zsxUmL

One stop shop & coordinated access for residents in need of housing; the vision of #TheRegistry , celebrating 20 years in 2017. Thanks to Michael Wilson from @OCH_LCO & others community leaders. #OttHousing